Gotta agree with the others. While the extra weight will work, it's much better to try redistributing the weight you have rather than adding more. Remember that EVERY pound you add is one more pound that your engine has to push which equals more gas used and less speed attained. Just something to think about...:head:

I’m sure you are all right but i don’t see another option. The batteries counter balance the kicker (port/starboard), moving them to the front would throw off my side to side balance. I could potentially put a sand bag in the middle fish locker, one in the forward locker and leave one way up front where they currently are. This would at least distribute the additional load but it will also add clutter to my currently used lockers. Maybe I’ll try just two bags, one in the forward locker and one where they currently are. I don’t see how the current situation is much different then adding a 24v bow mounted trolling motor, which I migth do at some point.

Well, actually a good solution for your problem would be to add trim tabs. That way you can adjust for forward weight, aft weight, side to side trim, etc. Of course they only work while underway, so you have to take that into account and adjust accordingly. But they work really well and you can compensate for changing sea conditions on the fly, which you cannot do with dead weight. :head:

If you decide to move your batteries forward, I would make an effort to put them up in the cuddy wherever possible. I moved my two batteries to a compartment forward of the gas tank on my 78 cuddy, about mid-ship. It did not have the impact I had hoped. I have my two spare 3 gallon cans up on the cuddy (every little bit helps).

Thanks. Trim tabs are on the list but 95% of my boating is trolling for salmon so they won't really do much for me.

Thanks. I moved two of the 3 sand bags from the very forward compartment to the forward locker and even that little change meant I now take on water. It's still much better then pre sandbags though. I can understand why moving the batteries to mid ship would do little. If you do trying adding wait to the fore most compartment, be warned that you will absolutely love the ride. It is night and day different. The boat gets right up on plane and tracks amazingly. I no longer feel the need for autopilot when trolling.

Where do you fish for salmon? :head:

Lake Michigan.

Nice. That's a wee bit too far for me, but I fish for them in Lake Ontario. Mostly off 9 mile Island, but several other places also. :beer:

Nice looking Salmon. We’re having some very lousy runs out here on the left coast (Columbia River). I haven’t even fished for them for a couple of years - I do miss bringing them home and getting them on the broiler.